Cricket helps heal Sri Lanka's ex-child soldiers

COLOMBO (Reuters Life!) - Dozens of former child soldiers who have known little expect war in Sri Lanka are being given a chance to reintegrate into society through the country's favorite sport -- cricket.

The Sri Lankan government, along with international agencies including the U.N. children's fund UNICEF, recently launched a cricket program to rehabilitate the young fighters who once battled among the ranks of the Tamil Tigers separatist movement.

These young fighters surrendered or were captured after the decades-old war ended last year, and now live in camps on the outskirts of Colombo, where they are being given vocational training and the chance of an education.

"Our athletic talents were stunted when we were young. At the camp, UNICEF came to us and encouraged us to play cricket. We have learned a lot through this program," Gopi, a 16-year-old former fighter, told Reuters.

"We can even make good coaches for the younger generation in the future," she said, refusing to give her full name or even show her face to reporters.

Dubbed "Cricket for Change," the program so far has 24 students. Eighteen former combatants graduated as Cricket Peer Leaders after a week's training.

International child protection agencies and the Sinhalese-led government had accused the Tamil Tigers of recruiting thousands of children to fight, some of them by force. The Tamil Tigers denied the accusations.

Sri Lanka Cricket, the sport's national body, teamed up with UNICEF, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and several ministries to launch the program, which aims to promote cricket not only for children formerly associated with armed groups, but to other disadvantaged youth as well.

"These young people have acquired new skills, learned the importance of team work and partnership. They have embraced values of trust respect and fair play," said Philippe Duamelle, UNICEF's representative for Sri Lanka.
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